Ladder is loose

[LT_E5]

The ladder on the back of my camper is loose. One of the horizontal brackets is pulling away from the round plate that is screwed into the camper and also one side of the bottom of the ladder is pulling away from the round plate. I can't turn the screw on the upper bracket and assume the lower one is screwed in from the back of the round plate. Does anyone have experience repairing these? I can not find a manufactures name for the ladder but I'm thinking there can't be much of a difference between brands. I'm hopeing that I don't have to take the ladder completely off but I'm thinking that's what I'll have to do.

[LT_E5]

I took the ladder off and see the Star Nuts that are in there. 3 were completely rusted out. Of the remaining 5, 2 are really tight. The other 3 aren't overly loose but loose enough to where you are able to spin the round mounting plate. I am unable to tighten or loosen those screws. Should those be tight enough so you can't spin that round plate?

[LT_E5]

Thank you very much for the info. Know I know what I'm looking at and part names.

[wildtoad]

I had to repair my ladder and went here: Ladder repair

[Dutch_12078]

The screws are threaded into "star nuts" that are pressed into the horizontal tubing. The star nuts are readily available, either at a well equipped hardware store or most bicycle repair shops, but you need to know the tubing diameter to get the right size. You'll probably have to drill out the rusted in place outer screws, and the round mounting plate must be unscrewed from the RV wall to access the screw on that end. If they don't fall out, the rusty star nuts can be driven further into the tube to make room for the new ones. I used stainless steel screws to replace the originals. One cause of them rusting and loosening is rain water and/or condensation getting trapped in the tubes. After repairing them, I drill an 1/8" hole in the bottom of each tube near each end, as well as in the bottom of the vertical risers, to allow any trapped moisture to drain.